Emily Pollok joined the century club at Regency Manor Nursing & Rehab in Floresville when she celebrated her 100th birthday on Sept. 15, 2011 -- the day of her birthday.

Her family held a second party on Sunday, Sept. 18, with a Mass and a huge get-together. Both parties were held at Regency Manor.

Emily was born on Sept. 15, 1911, to Frank and Mary (Labus) Mzyk near Cestohowa in what is now known at Pawelekville. She was one of six children. Emily attended school until she reached the fourth grade, when she stayed home to help her mother and siblings by becoming the family’s seamstress. She developed incredible sewing skills, sewing flour and sugar sacks together to create beautiful shirts and dresses. She could look at a garment in a newspaper or magazine, cut the pattern out of newspaper, and sew the dress or shirt -- with all the details of the store-bought clothes.

Emily married Sam Pollok on Oct. 21, 1935, and together they had four children -- Edwin, Carleen, Norman, and Barbara. She filled the primary role of homemaker, but also helped with the farming and ranching. She drove the tractor to plant and harvest corn, hay, cotton, or whatever crop was grown. She even picked cotton by hand, walked out to get the cows in, and could pick out which cow or calf was missing from 50 or 60 head just by looking.

She made lye soap and churned butter up until the 1950s, helped butcher and smoke meats, and grew large gardens. The fruit of her labor, she froze or canned. Emily also grew lots of flowers. She was also very accurate at predicting the weather by watching the clouds, animals, plants, and insects.

Emily’s primary language was Polish until her children started school. She learned to speak, read, and write English from her children when they became school age. She even speaks and understands most Spanish, which she learned from the farm hands.

Emily is a devout Catholic and a member of the St. Boniface Church and Altar Society in Hobson.

She continued driving her car until she was 92 years old. She enjoys her nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

After her husband, Sam, died in 1981, she remained in Hobson until 2004.

Then she came to Regency Manor Nursing & Rehab in 2006.

Emily is a delightful lady and is truly enjoyed by the staff here at Regency Manor Nursing & Rehab. She is always ready to go on outings, play bingo, attend church, or any other activities offered here at Regency.